Very skilled striper anglers can track down and catch very big fish. For those like us who haven’t yet obtained that skill level, and are anxious to catch a big fish, booking a Trophy Trip with BigFishOnGuide service can provide a nice shortcut.
We watched Knoxville get pounded by rain Saturday and Sunday but talking it over with Capt Mike Maddalena, we thought we still might have a chance so we met him early afternoon Tuesday in Lenoir City, TN. Water was a little stained, but not near as bad as we thought it may be. However water temp was also down 8 degrees to 57.x, and the flow was pretty quick since they were dumping water out of the lakes.
Late Tuesday Patti got a solid big hit and run but it broke off after tangling in some other lines. Wednesday morning was a little better.
Capt Mike’s giving Pattianne a hand to show it off. It’s 20 pounds 13 ounces, 34 inches long and had a 23 inch girth. We set it loose, but a replica of it is going on Patti’s wall.
We knew the conditions weren’t as good as we’d have liked, but we still had a great time with Capt Mike and his First Mate Lionel as we fished some really great water and they were a really skilled crew. Never considered bait that big! It was like being on the set as a fishing program was being filmed. Learned a lot watching them in action which I hope to incorporate. Thanks, Woody, for suggesting them. Some of you less skilled folks may want to consider them.
Glad to hear yall had a nice trip!
WILDBILL
congrats to you both. using big bait was def an eye opening experience for me as well, but it has been worth it. now its time to get one bigger and bigger and so on…lol
what is the pole that is attached to the trolling motor? And what was it used for? mast?
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
The pole on the trolling motor is just a “directional arrow” that can be extended up so that the trolling motor direction of travel may be determined by a glance from the back of the boat.
Glad to hear you guys had fun! Congrats!
Sportsman Heritage 229 CC
Yamaha 200 HP
Jeremiah 29:11 !!
Awesome!! Glad your trip paid off. Catch it on a skipjack?
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
Nice!! Fish over 20 are always special. Congrats!! That’s a pretty fish!
Xpress HB-22
175 Yammy Jammer
That one is two arms full with some help!
Kevin Lybrand
Had some skipjacks out but that one was caught on a trout. Capt Mike and Lionel were going to stay up another couple of days to fish for some really big ones. We were using a combination of trout, skipjacks, gizzard chad, and maybe a couple others I didn’t recognize. Some bait was the size of a loaf of bread.
How much did it weigh? I’m guessing 32lb’s:question:
Kevin Lybrand
Shoulda read the post! If I hadda caught it I woulda fudged a pound or two.
Kevin Lybrand
(**()! I was just typing in my wise ass reply…lol
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
That’s a beauty!! Congratulations Patti! It will make a nice “starter” mount for your wall.
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069
Nice to see Patti had her nails done for the occasion.
Nice fish - Congrats
War Eagle 754 Ducks Unlimited - Yamaha 75
Nice job, you set a goal and accomplished it. Beautiful fish!
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
Great Job!!!
P.S. Love the Hello Kitty hat …
it’s my Wife’s fault we HAVE to fish now!!!
2005 Sea Pro 2100cc / Yamaha 150hp 4-Stroke
Awesome! Congrats! Can’t wait till I get my first over 20!
1994 Bass Tracker Pontoon
Life’s too short not to fish
Glad ya’ll had fun. I knew you would. Mike is a hoot and definitely a big fish tactician. He outsmarts and out works a lot of tournament competitors well before he hits the water. There is a video somewhere of Mike taking a bite out of a skipjack, just to be funny, but he had no idea how putrid it would be and starts wretching instantly…you will laugh till you cry if you ever see it…
Team Shad Up & Fish
If you’ve had fun catching fish on the transom bait, you are welcome…
I’ve spent about 85% of my life’s wages on fishing, the rest I just wasted…
Couple questions,
Does he have a web site
Is there certain time of year they catch the big ones up there
I have seen several tv shows and have that dvd Monster Stripers that was done in that area and always curious
Would love to take the Admiral up there and put her on a 20+lb fish. Best I have done for her so far is 12lbs, she bout crapped in her pants on that one
Sea Pro 210cc
Yamaha 200 4 Stroke
Dodge 1500 4x4 HEMI
